"Karuchiu!"
"Karuchiu, Karuchiu..."
During the evening banquet, Sig was greeted with various "Karuchiu" – a friendly greeting used by the Mink Tribe, and it was a rather intimate one, usually followed by "touch" or "rub cheek".
The fur of the Mink Tribe has excellent static electricity properties, which is why they are able to control the effects of electricity.
It's equivalent to not cultivating the Life Return; the fur naturally possesses an "abnormal" ability to generate static electricity through friction...
When they rub their cheeks together, it usually makes a crackling sound, and the degree of electricity indicates the level of friendliness.
Of course, sticking to humans won't generate static electricity, and the same goes for sticking to Fish-Man...
However, the Mink Tribe are now very enthusiastic about Sig, whom they had previously misunderstood, especially Wanda. When she learned that it was Sig who reminded the Boss Nekomamushi to bring people to rescue her, she regarded Sig as her savior and cuddled with Sig several times during the celebration.
Jack has "come back to life" and is now having a drinking contest with Whitey Bay, as if he won't be satisfied until he defeats Whitey Bay at least once.
"Karuchiu!" Wanda raised her glass for the third time, coming over to get closer to Sig.
Violet, standing to the side, scoffed, "You really do attract furry dogs..."
Previously, Violet wouldn't have thought much of it. After all, the aesthetic differences between humans and Mink Tribe are significant, and the level of conflict should be comparable to the difference between "humans and Fish-Man." But...
Recalling Sig's questioning of Katrin Demi, Violet suddenly realized—this guy isn't human! He's Fish-Man... or at least Half Fish-Man! Perhaps the aesthetic differences between Fish-Man and Mink Tribe aren't that great?
Yes, if Jinbe saw this scene, he would definitely think of more.
There is still a significant difference in aesthetics between Fish-Man and Mink Tribe.
However... Jinbe initially believed that Sig's parents were a rare "human + Fish-Man" type, so... this must be evidence that Sig inherited his parents' "universal love," right?
Wanda noticed that Violet seemed a little unhappy, perhaps... jealous?
Then...
"Karuchiu!" Wanda went over to Violet again to touch her.
Hmm, she must be jealous that I didn't cuddle with her, right? After all, who can resist cuddleing...?
Violet felt a little embarrassed after being rubbed so much.
Boss Nekomamushi and Sig agreed that he would take Sieg to see the Coordinate Poneglyph at 6 a. m. the day after tomorrow.
As for why not tomorrow?
It's almost dawn now. After daybreak, the Boss Nekomamushi will "clock out," and the Swordsman Group will leave. Then... the Mink Tribe from the Musketeer Squad will take over and continue the feast with them!
Conservatively speaking, Sig won't be able to leave the banquet until the afternoon, and after some rest, it will be the day after tomorrow...
Not to mention, in some people's eyes, 11:59 pm is also afternoon.
"Huh? Why are you still here? Aren't you a member of the Swordsman Group?" Violet looked at Wanda, who was still there, with a puzzled expression, noticing that the Mink Tribe members had already "changed shifts" at the banquet.
"No, I'm with the Musketeer Squad ... but I'm a rather special 'King Bird,' relaying messages between the two kings, so I sometimes hang out with my fellow members of the Swordsman Group," Wanda explained.
"What exactly is the conflict between your king and his people? Why haven't they met?" Violet probed with gossip.
Unfortunately, Wanda didn't know the reason either. All she knew was that when the two kings returned when she was still young, they already acted as if they didn't even look at each other.
The Musketeer Squad arrived and gave the guests another beating of "Karuchiu"...
The banquet lasted for nearly twenty hours straight, and even the Red-Hair crew, who could be called the "Banquet Pirates," were almost unable to keep up.
However, thanks to everyone's united efforts, they managed to persevere to the end—no one did anything that would bring shame to the pirate flag, such as leaving the banquet midway to rest.
Around 8 PM, after the banquet ended, even Sig and Shanks went to rest for a while, sleeping until after 5 PM. Then, at 6 PM, they arrived at the entrance to the White Whale Forest, where they had arranged to meet Boss Nekomamushi.
It was just the time for shift change, and Inuarashi, who had been unconscious, was also there, though he seemed a little weak.
The cat and the dog remained facing away from each other, standing at a 45-degree angle. However, upon seeing Sig, Inuarashi quickly stepped forward—he mainly wanted to see Hiyori's letter!
After all, Inuarashi and Nekomamushi never speak to each other, and the members of "King Bird" alone cannot convey such complex information. Nekomamushi has only told him about "Hiyori's letter," and Inuarashi does not yet know its contents.
Inuarashi is about the same height as Nekomamushi, but his proportions are better. Unlike Nekomamushi, whose body is long and limbs are relatively short, Inuarashi is more like a cat.
As for his appearance, Inuarashi looks like a Saint Bernard, not as gentle as Wanda, and has a long scar and a serious expression... Fortunately, Sig doesn't have to get too close to him.
Upon seeing Sig, Inuarashi, disregarding his unhealed injuries, immediately prostrated himself in a deep bow—truly befitting someone raised in Wano Country.
"I have heard of Your Sig Your Excellency's assistance to our country, and I have also heard... that some incompetent individuals have been extremely rude to you. We are truly grateful and deeply sorry!"
Well, Inuarashi looks so honest, yet he immediately started putting down Nekomamushi.
The Boss Nekomamushi immediately bristled and retorted, "Isn't it because some incompetent idiot was assassinated? That guy who's been lying in his hospital bed like a dead dog, he really dares to talk back..."
The cat and dog, who hadn't spoken or even seen each other for many years, suddenly started arguing. If Inuarashi hadn't been injured, they probably would have already started fighting.
Sig quickly took out the letter, which immediately attracted Inuarashi's attention.
Inuarashi was quite observant. Although he didn't show it, Sig could tell that he had carefully examined the scent of the letter first—not only did he recognize Hiyori's scent, but he could also identify Denjiro and Kawamatsu's scents. Immediately, he believed it to be 80% certain.
After reading the letter, Inuarashi and Nekomamushi reacted similarly, feeling guilty, relieved, and deeply puzzled.
Even after Sig briefly explained the situation in Wano Country to them, they still didn't fully understand!
Denjiro and Kawamatsu at least knew something about Yamato, while Nekomamushi and Oden left Wano Country ten years ago when Oden died and had never heard of the rumors of the "rebellious Yamato".
Sig then promised to take them back to Wano Country, where they could see for themselves...
Shanks, standing to the side, confidently assured them that he could cooperate with them to lure Kaido out of Wano Country, thus ensuring the safety of Sig and the Nekomamushi.
Inuarashi and Nekomamushi first led Sig to the depths of the White Whale Forest —although this place is usually a forbidden area, where no outsiders are allowed to set foot, there are naturally exceptions.
Finally, inside the cave, Sig saw the Road Poneglyph stone tablet, and on the wall was the crest of the Kozuki Clan...